Harare — CUBA has expressed confidence in relations with Zimbabwe and pledged to continue supporting the country in the health, social security, education and energy sectors to improve the lives of the people.

Visiting Cuban Communist Party Secretary for International Relations Cde Fernando Remirez de Estenoz Barciela said this in an address to journalists soon after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Joice Mujuru.

"There is need to strengthen links between the two political parties and co-operation, especially on health, education, social security and energy sectors so that we improve the lives of our people," said Cde Barciela, who is leading Cuba's CCP delegation on a week-long working visit.

The delegation is on a social responsibility tour programme and has already visited Angola and South Africa.

Cde Barciela said Zimbabwe and Cuba "have been working together since the days of the liberation struggle and after independence we continued to support the Zimbabwean people".

He added that he had discussed with Cde Mujuru on how best the two countries, which are both under Western sanctions, could further strengthen the relations.

"We had a good meeting with the Vice President and we briefed her on the situation in Cuba, improvements in our economy, which recorded a growth of 12,5 percent last year," he said.

Cde Barciela said he met the 138 Cuban doctors and nurses in the country who are happy to be working with the people of Zimbabwe.

He also said Cuban President Fidel Castro was recuperating and had since written more than 20 editorials since last month.

Cde Mujuru also echoed the same sentiments, saying the relations between the two countries should be enhanced.

"Our relationship has grown from strength to strength and we should promote more exchange visits," Cde Mujuru said.

She expressed gratitude to the Cubans for supporting the country's health delivery system.

Cuba has supported Zimbabwe's education and health delivery systems and the co-operation between the two nations has seen hundreds of local students train as teachers and doctors in Cuba.

More students are still benefiting from the programme of scholarships to study in Cuba.

The country has also supported Zimbabwe's health delivery sector by providing health professionals such as specialist doctors, general practitioners, nursing tutors, engineers and technicians.

Other areas of support include science and technology, youth, gender and employment creation.